US6632139B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US6632139B1
Application number: US09/652,312
Authority: US
Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher
Original assignee: International Game Technology
Current assignee: International Game Technology
Priority date: 2000-08-31
Filing date: 2000-08-31
Publication date: 2003-10-14
Also published as: US20040002370A1; US6929952B2

Abstract

The present invention involves a gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes a symbol generator and a plurality of symbols. When two or more predetermined symbols are generated and displayed, the bonus round terminates. Depending upon which symbols the gaming device generates and displays, the bonus round may or may not terminate. This type of bonus scheme provides an exciting manner of terminating bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to the following commonly-owned co-pending patent applications: “GAMING DEVICE WITH BONUS SCHEME PROVIDING AWARDS ASSOCIATED WITH MOVEMENTS ALONG PATH,” Ser. No. 09/583,429, “GAMING DEVICE HAVING AN INDICATOR SELECTION WITH PROBABILITY-BASED OUTCOME BONUS SCHEME,” Ser. No. 09/605,809, and “GAMING DEVICE WITH BONUS SCHEME PROVIDING INCREASED REWARD FOR SELECTING RELATED SYMBOLS” Ser. No. 09/605,023.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates in general to a gaming device, and more particularly to a gaming device which has a bonus scheme including one or more symbol generators and one or more symbol terminating conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many existing gaming machines, such as traditional slot machines, include bonus rounds. Typically, a bonus round begins when the player reaches a bonus triggering event in the primary game of the gaming device. In slot machines with reels, the triggering event usually occurs when the player reaches a predetermined combination of symbols on the reels. Usually the bonus scheme provides the player with an opportunity to gain bonus value before the bonus round terminates.

In existing bonus schemes with symbol generators such as reels and wheels, the bonus round terminates after the player has had a predetermined number of opportunities to gain bonus value or after the player has accumulated a predetermined amount of bonus values. These bonus rounds do not terminate when the player reaches a predetermined combination of symbols.

To increase player enjoyment and excitement, it is desirable to provide players with new bonus schemes for gaming devices which include symbol generators and symbol terminating conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the above shortcomings by providing a gaming device and method which has a bonus scheme which includes one or more symbol generators, a plurality of symbols and one or more terminating conditions. The symbol generator is a device, method or system which generates certain symbols as an outcome for a player. Preferably, the symbol generator is a computer program or mathematical formula, and the computer of the gaming device inputs certain symbols into the generator which then generates certain symbols as output. The term symbol, as used herein, includes any representation in audio, visual or audio-visual form whether in motion or at rest such as letters, numerals, characters and pictures, drawings or other representations of people, places or things.

The gaming device can graphically represent the symbol generator as any mechanism or any other system or device. For example, a symbol generator can be represented as a plurality of reels (in physical or video form) in a gaming device, a spinning wheel (in physical or video form) or a set of dice. The reels, spinning wheel and dice would include a plurality of symbols, such as a mixture of characters and numeric values.

The bonus scheme of the present invention also includes one or more terminating conditions which terminate the bonus round after the player has had an opportunity to gain at least one bonus value. The terminating condition occurs when the symbol generator generates two or more predetermined symbols. For example, a terminating condition could be a combination of letters, such as X, Y and Z, generated by the gaming device. Preferably, the terminating condition occurs at one or more predetermined result areas. The result area is a certain area where symbols must be located in order for a terminating condition to occur.

In the context of reels, the result area is two or more symbol areas, preferably defined by one or more lines extending from outer reel to outer reel. In the context of a spinning wheel, the result area is preferably two or more areas, preferably identified by result pointers.

In operation, the bonus round is initiated when a triggering event occurs. Once the bonus round is initiated, the gaming device (preferably randomly) generates a plurality of symbols, preferably by enabling the player to push a play button or other activator device. Depending upon which symbols are generated and the design of the bonus scheme, the player may gain a bonus value, gain no bonus value or the bonus round may terminate. If a terminating condition does not occur, the gaming device provides the player with any earned bonus value and then generates a second set of symbols by enabling the player to push the play button again. This process continues until a terminating condition occurs.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the symbol generator is a plurality of reels which display a plurality of symbols. In another preferred embodiment, the symbol generator is one or more spinning wheels. In either case, the symbol generator has the capacity to generate numeric and non-numeric symbols (i.e., the numeral five and a character). The terminating condition occurs when the symbol generator generates at least two non-numeric symbols in a specified result area. As long as the player avoids this terminating condition, the gaming device awards the player with bonus value equal to the sum of all numeric symbols displayed in the result area.

The present invention provides a gaming device with a bonus scheme which involves symbol generators and terminating conditions. Whether the generator is a plurality of reels or a spinning wheel, the player may continue to spin the reels or the spinning wheel with the aim of gaining bonus values, until the player reaches a terminating condition. The terminating condition occurs when the symbol generator generates two or more predetermined symbols which cause the bonus round to terminate.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes one or more symbol generators and one or more symbol terminating conditions.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front plan view of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronic configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the reels, symbol areas and result lines in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the spinning wheel, symbol areas and result pointers in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the reels, symbols and non-terminating condition in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the reels, symbols and terminating condition in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the reels, symbols and another terminating condition in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the reels, symbols and bonus values in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the reels, symbols and background screen in one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the spinning wheel, symbols and terminating condition in one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of two spinning wheels, symbols and terminating condition in one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONGaming Device and Electronics

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 generally illustrates agaming device10 of one embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably a slot machine having the controls, displays and features of a conventional slot machine.Gaming device10 is constructed so that a player can operategaming device10 while standing or sitting. However, it should be appreciated thatgaming device10 can be constructed as a pub-style table-top game (not shown) which a player can operate preferably while sitting.Gaming device10 can also be implemented as a program code stored in a detachable cartridge for operating a hand-held video game device. Also,gaming device10 can be implemented as a program code stored on a disk or other memory device which a player can use in a desktop or laptop personal computer or other computerized platform.

Gaming device

10 can incorporate any game such as slot, poker or keno in addition to any of their bonus triggering events which trigger the bonus scheme of the present invention. The symbols and indicia used on and ingaming device10 may be in mechanical, electrical or video form.

As illustrated in FIG. 1,gaming device10 includes acoin slot12 andbill acceptor14 where the player inserts money, coins or tokens. The player can place coins in thecoin slot12 or paper money in thebill acceptor14. Other devices could be used for accepting payment such as readers or validators for credit cards or debit cards. When a player inserts money ingaming device10, a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shown in acredit display16. After depositing the appropriate amount of money, a player can begin the game by pullingarm18 or pushingplay button20.Play button20 can be any play activator used by the player which starts any game or sequence of events in the gaming device.

As shown in FIG. 1,gaming device10 also includes abet display22 and a bet onebutton24. The player places a bet by pushing the bet onebutton24. The player can increase the bet by one credit each time the player pushes the bet onebutton24. When the player pushes the bet onebutton24, the number of credits shown in thecredit display16 decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in thebet display22 increases by one.

Gaming device

10 also has adisplay window28 which contains a plurality ofreels30, preferably three to five reels in mechanical or video form. Eachreel30 displays a plurality of indicia such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with thegaming device10. If thereels30 are in video form, thegaming device10 preferably displays thevideo reels30 atvideo monitor32 instead of atdisplay window28. Furthermore,gaming device10 preferably includesspeakers34 for making sounds or playing music.

At any time during the game, a player may “cash out” and thereby receive a number of coins corresponding to the number of remaining credits by pushing a cash outbutton26. When the player “cashes out,” the player receives the coins in acoin payout tray36. Thegaming device10 may employ other payout mechanisms such as credit slips redeemable by a cashier or electronically recordable cards which keep track of the player's credits.

With respect to electronics,gaming device10 preferably includes the electronic configuration generally illustrated in FIG. 2, including aprocessor38, amemory device40 for storing program code or other data, avideo monitor32 or other display device (i.e., a liquid crystal display) and at least one input device such asplay buttons20. Theprocessor38 is preferably a microprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable of displaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people, characters, places, things and faces of cards. Thememory device40 can include random access memory (RAM)42 for storing event data or other data generated or used during a particular game. Thememory device40 can also include read only memory (ROM)44 for storing program code which controls thegaming device10 so that it plays a particular game in accordance with applicable game rules and pay tables.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably usesplay buttons20 to input signals intogaming device10. Furthermore, it is preferable thattouch screen46 and an associatedtouch screen controller48 are used instead of aconventional video monitor32.Touch screen46 andtouch screen controller48 are connected to avideo controller50 andprocessor38. A player can make decisions and input signals into thegaming device10 by touchingtouch screen46 at the appropriate places. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, theprocessor38 can be connected tocoin slot12 orbill acceptor14. Theprocessor38 can be programmed to require a player to deposit a certain amount of money in order to start the game.

It should be appreciated that although aprocessor38 andmemory device40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, the present invention can also be implemented using one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's) or other hard-wired devices, or using mechanical devices (collectively referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore, although theprocessor38 andmemory device40 preferably reside on eachgaming device10 unit, it is possible to provide some or all of their functions at a central location such as a network server for communication to a playing station such as over a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, and the like. Theprocessor38 andmemory device40 are generally referred to herein as the “computer.”

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, to operate thegaming device10, the player must insert the appropriate amount of money or tokens atcoin slot12 orbill acceptor14 and then pull thearm18 or push theplay button20. Thereels30 will then begin to spin. Eventually, thereels30 will come to a stop. As long as the player has credits remaining, the player can spin thereels30 again. Depending upon where thereels30 stop, the player may or may not win additional credits.

In addition to winning credits in this manner, preferablygaming device10 also gives players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus round. This type ofgaming device10 will include a program which will automatically begin a bonus round when the player has achieved a qualifying condition in the game. This qualifying condition can be a particular arrangement of indicia on thedisplay window28. Thegaming device10 also includes a display device such as avideo monitor32 shown in FIG. 1 enabling the player to play the bonus round. Preferably, the qualifying condition is a predetermined combination of indicia appearing on a plurality ofreels30. As illustrated in the three reel slot game shown in FIG. 1, the qualifying condition could be the text “BONUS!” appearing in the same location on three adjacent reels.

Bonus Scheme

If a player achieves a bonus triggering or qualifying condition while playing the game, thegaming device10 automatically initiates the bonus round of the present invention. The bonus scheme of the gaming device of the present invention includes one or more symbol generators, a plurality of symbols and one or more terminating conditions.

In one preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the symbol generator is a plurality ofreels30 displayed by the gaming device.Reels30 include a plurality ofsymbol areas52 and one or more result areas. The result areas here are thesymbol areas52 which are intersected by one ormore result lines54, as shown in FIG.3. In another embodiment, the symbol generator is aspinning wheel56 which includes a plurality ofsymbol areas52, as shown in FIG.4. This symbol generator also includes one or more result areas which are defined and identified byresult pointers58 shown in FIG.4. In both of these embodiments, the result areas are preferably theonly symbol areas52 where a terminating condition can occur.

With reference to block60 in FIG. 5, in operation the bonus round initiates when a bonus triggering event occurs. Once the bonus round initiates, the gaming device generates symbols62 (shown in FIGS. 6 through 11) preferably by enabling the player to activate the symbol generator, as indicated byblock64 in FIG.5. Preferably, the player can do so by pushing aplay button20 or another type of activator device.

Next, the gaming device displays the generated symbols62, as indicated byblock66 in FIG.5. Depending upon which symbols62 the gaming device generates and where the gaming device displays them, a terminating condition may or may not occur. As indicated by

blocks

70 and72 in FIG. 5, if the terminating condition does occur, then the bonus round terminates and the gaming device provides the player with any payout due to the player. However, if a terminating condition does not occur, as indicated bydiamond68 in FIG. 5, the gaming device will then generate symbols62 again, preferably by enabling the player to push theplay button20 again. Furthermore, depending upon the particular design of the bonus scheme and the particular symbols62 generated, the gaming device may also award the player with a bonus value prior to enabling the player to push theplay button20 again. In such case, the gaming device preferably increases the value in a bonus value indicator (not shown).

As discussed earlier, in one preferred embodiment the symbol generator is a plurality ofreels30. Thereels30 display a plurality of symbols62 atsymbol areas52, as shown in FIGS. 6 through 10. For example purposes only, in FIGS. 6 through 9 theresult line54 is located at the same location, horizontally extending through the middle row of thereels30.

In this embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 9, a variety of predetermined symbols62 and predetermined combinations of symbols62 can be used to define the terminating conditions. FIGS. 6 through 9 illustrate example partial or complete terminating conditions. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention can include additional types of terminating conditions not illustrated here. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the symbol generator generated all of the symbols62 shown. Thesymbols62awhich are of no particular type are indicated with the letter S and aparticular symbol62b(the letter X) is so indicated. In this example, the terminating condition is the letter X being displayed at any twosymbol areas52 located along thepredetermined result line54. Therefore, when the player reached X at only onesymbol area52 shown in FIG. 6, the bonus did not terminate because only one terminating symbol was displayed. When this same terminating condition is applied in another example shown in FIG. 7, the bonus round terminates because here the player generated theidentical symbol62bat twosymbol areas52 alongresult line54.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the symbols62 are eithernumeric symbols62cornon-numeric symbols62d. Here, the terminating condition is the display of two or morenon-numeric symbols62datsymbol areas52 located along theresult line54. As shown in FIG. 8, after pushing theplay button20, the player generatedseveral symbols62aof various types at a variety ofsymbol areas52. The player also generated fournumeric symbols62cand onenon-numeric symbol62d, all of which are located alongresult line54. Thenumeric symbols62care represented in FIG. 8 by number signs, and thenon-numeric symbol62dis represented by the letter A. The display of the letter A at twosymbol areas52 on the result area terminates the bonus round because it fulfills the terminating condition. Preferably in this alternative embodiment, if the player avoids the terminating condition, the gaming device awards the player with an award value equal to the sum of allnumeric symbols62ddisplayed along theresult line54. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the player generated various types ofsymbols62aatvarious symbol areas52. Here, all of the symbols generated alongresult line54 arenumeric symbols62c. Consequently, the gaming device awards the player with a bonus value of twenty (the sum of 2+6+3+1+8).

This alternative embodiment is further shown in the context ofcartoon character symbols62eandnumeric symbols62c, as shown in FIG.10. Here, the symbols62 are generated and displayed on twoouter reels30. The result area is the twosymbol areas52 located at the center of eachreel30. In this example bonus round, the gaming device generatednumeric symbols62chaving the values, twenty and ten. Therefore, the gaming device awards the player with a value of thirty. The gaming device then enables the player to generate additional symbols62 until acharacter symbol62eis displayed at the result area, at which time the bonus round terminates.

Preferably this embodiment includes abackground screen74 for viewing purposes, as shown in FIG.10. However, thisbackground screen74 can also be used to inform the player about the nature of the terminating condition for the bonus round. For example, a terminating condition could be a symbol62 displayed at any result area and which is identical to (or is different from) the graphics ofbackground screen74.

As is apparent by viewing FIG. 10, this alternative embodiment preferably incorporates the South Park cartoon theme. SOUTH PARK™ is a trademark and service mark of Comedy Partners, New York, N.Y., and is used with permission from Comedy Partners by the assignee of the present invention. In addition, this preferred embodiment can include audio features (i.e., songs, voices, and other sound effects) which are consistent with the cartoon theme of this preferred embodiment.

Furthermore, preferably this preferred embodiment includes aline message76 shown in FIG.10.Line message76 indicates, preferably in numeric form, the number of credits the player decided to bet for each line. Furthermore, preferably this preferred embodiment includes a plurality of windows for providing information to the player. As shown in FIG. 10, such windows include: (a) a bonus spin window (now shown) which displays the number of remaining bonus spins; (b) acredit window78 which displays the number of credits which the gaming device provides to a player after each spin; (c) acredit balance window80 which displays the player's current credit balance; (d) aline selection window82 which displays the number of lines upon which the player is betting; (e) abet window84 which displays the number of credits the player is betting per line; (f) atotal bet window86 which displays the total credits which the player is betting; and (g) apay window88 which displays the total of credits which the gaming device has paid to the player on the previous game. Preferably, this preferred embodiment also includes a plurality ofbuttons90 which the player uses to select game options and play the game, including a cash out button, help button, pay table button, select lines button, bet per line button, max bet button and stop spin button.

In the spinning wheel embodiment described earlier, preferably eachsymbol area52 includes a symbol62, as shown in FIG.11. Depending upon the type of the terminating condition and the symbols62 displayed at theresult pointers58, the bonus round may or may not terminate. Preferably, when the player pushes theplay button20, thespinning wheel56 rotates clockwise and/or counterclockwise and eventually comes to a stop. One ormore result pointers58 identifies certain symbols62. The terminating condition occurs when thespinning wheel56 stops spinning such that two or more predetermined symbols62 or combinations of symbols62 are aligned with theresult pointers58. Once this occurs, the bonus round terminates. In the example shown in FIG. 11, the terminating condition occurs when at least two result pointers point at twosymbols62b, the identical letters X. Here, thespinning wheel56 stopped such that theresult pointers58 pointed at onesymbol62a, and twosymbols62b. Therefore, the bonus round terminates.

In an alternative spinning wheel embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the gaming device displays twospinning wheels56. The symbols62 displayed on thespinning wheels56 are eithernumeric symbols62cornon-numeric symbols62d. Here, the terminating condition is the display of one or morenon-numeric symbols62dat eachspinning wheel56 at thesymbol areas52 located at theresult pointers58.

As shown in FIG. 12, after pushing theplay button20, the player generatedseveral symbols62aof various types at a variety ofsymbol areas52 at eachspinning wheel56. The player also generated onenon-numeric symbol62dat theupper spinning wheel56 and twonon-numeric symbols62dat thelower spinning wheel56, all being displayed atresult pointers58. Thenumeric symbols62care represented in FIG. 12 by number signs, and thenon-numeric symbols62dare represented by the letter A. In this example, the display of the letter A at oneresult pointer58 of theupper spinning wheel56, and the display of the letter A at two of theresult pointers58 terminates the bonus round because it fulfills the terminating condition. Preferably, in this embodiment if the player avoids the terminating condition, the gaming device awards the player with an award value equal to the sum of allnumeric symbols62cdisplayed at theresult pointers58 of both spinningwheels56.

The bonus scheme of the gaming device of the present invention involves one or more symbol generators and one or more predetermined conditions which terminate the bonus round when certain symbols are generated and displayed. In one preferred embodiment, the symbol generator is a plurality of reels which display a plurality of symbols. In another preferred embodiment, the symbol generator is a spinning wheel which includes a plurality of symbols. In both preferred embodiments, the terminating condition includes two or more predetermined symbols or combinations of predetermined symbols which, when displayed at predetermined areas, effectively terminate the bonus round. This type of bonus scheme provides gaming devices with the capacity to terminate bonus rounds while providing players with excitement and enjoyment.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. It is thus to be understood that modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of this invention as defined in the claims, and that this application is to be limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gaming device having a bonus round comprising:

a plurality of independent symbol generators, each including a plurality of symbols;

at least one terminating condition, said terminating condition including at least two predetermined symbols, wherein one of the symbol generators is adapted to generate one of said predetermined symbols and another of said symbol generators is adapted to generate another one of said predetermined symbols;

a plurality of simultaneously generated symbols, including one symbol from each symbol generator; and

a display device for displaying the generated symbols,

whereby the bonus round terminates when the terminating condition occurs including the simultaneous generation by the symbol generators of each of the predetermined symbols in a designated result area associated with said symbol generator, and wherein the simultaneous generation of less than all of the predetermined symbols (a) does not cause termination of the bonus round, (b) does not cause part of the terminating condition to be satisfied, and (c) does not cause an accumulation of any of the predetermined symbols for subsequently achieving the terminating condition.

2. The gaming device ofclaim 1, wherein the terminating condition is the display of at least two related predetermined symbols.

3. The gaming device ofclaim 1, wherein the terminating condition is the display of more than two predetermined symbols.

4. The gaming device ofclaim 1, which includes an award provided to a player for each simultaneous generation by the symbol generators of symbols which does not cause the predetermined condition to occur.

5. The gaming device ofclaim 1, wherein the symbol generators are each a reel.

6. The gaming device ofclaim 5, wherein the result areas are along the reels.

7. The gaming device ofclaim 1, wherein the symbol generators are a plurality of reels, the symbols include numeric and non-numeric symbols and the non-numeric symbols are the predetermined symbols.

8. The gaming device ofclaim 1, wherein the symbol generators include at least one spinning wheel.

9. The gaming device ofclaim 1, wherein the generated symbols are numeric and non-numeric symbols.

10. The gaming device ofclaim 9, wherein the predetermined symbols are non-numeric symbols.

11. The gaming device ofclaim 10, which includes an award value equal to the sum of the numeric generated symbols.

12. The gaming device ofclaim 11, which includes a background screen.

13. The gaming device ofclaim 12, wherein the background screen displays a symbol which is identical to the predetermined symbol.

14. The gaming device ofclaim 12, wherein the background screen displays a symbol which is different from the predetermined symbol.

15. A method of operating a bonus round of a gaming device comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating the bonus round;

(b) generating a plurality of symbols on a plurality of symbol generators, wherein one of the symbol generators is adapted to generate one predetermined symbol and another of said symbol generators is adapted to generate another predetermined symbol;

(c) displaying the generated symbols;

(d) repeating steps (b) and (c) until the predetermined symbols are simultaneously generated by the symbol generators in a designated result area associated with each said symbol generator, and wherein the simultaneous generation of less than all of the predetermined symbols (i) does not cause termination of the bonus round and (ii) and does not cause an accumulation of any of the predetermined symbols for subsequent simultaneous generation of the predetermined symbols; and

(e) terminating the bonus round.

16. The method ofclaim 15, which includes providing an award to a player for each simultaneous generation by the symbol generators of symbols which does not include simultaneous generation of the predetermined symbols.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein step (b) includes generating the symbols on reels and the result areas are along a payline associated with the reels.

18. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the step of generating symbols includes the step of generating numeric and non-numeric symbols.

19. The method ofclaim 18, which includes the step of providing at least two non-numeric symbols as the predetermined symbols.

20. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the step of generating symbols includes the step of generating numeric and non-numeric symbols.

21. The method ofclaim 20, wherein the predetermined symbols are non-numeric symbols.

22. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the symbols are numeric and non-numeric symbols.

23. The method ofclaim 22, which includes the step of providing a player with an award value equal to the sum of the numeric symbols generated by the symbol generators each time the predetermined symbols are not simultaneously generated by the symbol generators in the designated result area associated with each said symbol generator.

24. The method ofclaim 23, which includes the step of displaying a background screen.

25. The method ofclaim 24, which includes the step of displaying a symbol on the background screen.

26. The method ofclaim 25, which includes the step of repeating steps (b) and (c) until at least two predetermined symbols are displayed which are identical to the symbol displayed on the background screen.

27. The method ofclaim 25, which includes the step of repeating steps (b) and (c) until at least two predetermined symbols are displayed which are different from the symbol displayed on the background screen.

28. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the step of generating symbols includes the step of providing a plurality of reels and a plurality of symbols on the reels.

29. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the step of generating symbols includes the step of causing the reels to spin.

30. The method ofclaim 29, wherein the step of causing the reels to spin includes the step of a player operating an activator.

31. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the step of generating symbols includes the step of providing at least one spinning wheel and a plurality of symbols on the spinning wheel.

32. The method ofclaim 31, wherein the step of generating symbols includes the step of causing the spinning wheel to spin.

33. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the game is provided to a player through a data network.

34. The method ofclaim 33, wherein the data network is an internet.

35. A gaming device comprising:

a game;

a plurality of independent symbol generators in said game, each symbol generator including a plurality of symbols;

at least one terminating condition, said terminating condition including at least two predetermined symbols, wherein a first predetermined symbol is adapted to be generated by first one of the symbol generators and a second predetermined symbol is adapted to be generated by a second one of said symbol generators;

a display device; and

a processor operable with said display device and symbol generators to cause the random generation of a plurality of said symbols including one symbol from each symbol generator and terminate said game if the terminating condition occurs including the simultaneous generation by the symbol generators of each of the first and second predetermined symbols in a designated result area associated with said first and second symbol generators, and wherein the simultaneous generation of less than all of the predetermined symbols (a) does not cause termination of the game, (b) does not cause part of the terminating condition to be satisfied, and (c) does not cause an accumulation of any of the predetermined symbols for subsequently achieving the terminating condition.

36. The gaming device ofclaim 35, wherein said terminating condition includes at least two related predetermined symbols.

37. The gaming device ofclaim 35, wherein said terminating condition includes at least two different predetermined symbols.

38. The gaming device ofclaim 35, wherein the symbol generators include a plurality of reels.

39. The gaming device ofclaim 35, wherein the symbol generators include at least one spinning wheel.

40. The gaming device ofclaim 35, wherein the symbols are numeric and non-numeric symbols.

41. The gaming device ofclaim 40, wherein the predetermined symbols are non-numeric symbols.

42. The gaming device ofclaim 40, which includes an award provided to the player based on the generated numeric symbols when the predetermined condition does not occur.

43. A method of operating a gaming device comprising the steps of:

(a) initiating a game;

(b) randomly generating a plurality of symbols on a plurality of symbol generators, wherein a first symbol generator is adapted to generate a first predetermined symbol and a second symbol generator is adapted to generate a second predetermined symbol;

(c) displaying the generated symbols;

(d) providing an award, if any, to a player based on said symbols; and

(e) repeating steps (b) to (d) until the first and second predetermined symbols are simultaneously generated by the first and second symbol generators in a designated result area associated with each said symbol generators, and wherein the simultaneous generation of less than all of the first and second predetermined symbols (i) does not cause termination of the game and (ii) and does not cause an accumulation of any of the predetermined symbols for subsequent simultaneous generation of the predetermined symbols.

44. The method ofclaim 43, wherein the step of randomly generating a plurality of symbols includes the step of generating numeric and non-numeric symbols.

45. The method ofclaim 44, at least two non-numeric symbols are the first and second predetermined symbols.

46. The method ofclaim 43, wherein the game is provided to a player through a data network.

47. The method ofclaim 46, wherein the data network is an internet.